Lake Five in Aitkin County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Five is one of the Aitkin County listings for Minnesota. The ground around here is mixed forest. It measures about 53 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 1.2 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Start from Sandstone, 13 miles down the road. It is 81 miles to Minneapolis, the nearest city. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Five

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Aitkin County, recorded fish include northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Lake Five where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 7°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. The season on Lake Five rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. The water borders Lake Five Wildlife Management Area, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Long Lake, 0.3 miles away. Signs at Lake Five carry more weight than any list.